LA Auto Show: Porsche debuts 911 Targa 4 and 4S

Porsche has just unveiled the latest Targa variants of the 911, making two engines available on the glass-roofed coupe for the first time. The four-wheel drive Targas will get a choice of either a 3.6-liter boxer six in standard 4 trim or a 3.8-liter six in the 4S model.

Of course both models feature the Targa's namesake, a large sliding glass panel that opens up the 911's occupants to the elements, along with a few choice styling cues, like the brushed metal trim that spans the upper portion of the windows. The Targa 4s also feature the widened rear haunches that are specific to Porsche's AWD-equipped models.
Pricing for the 911 Targa 4 and 4S is set at $85,700 for the former, and $95,900 for the latter. Sales begin this weekend.

Porsche also took a few minutes out of their press conference to highlight their success with the RS Spyder and to debut the 911 GT3 for the first time on US shores.

As always, live and press pics are posted along with the press release after the jump.

TARGA 4 AND 4S GALLERY:

GT3 LIVE SHOTS:

PRESS RELEASE

VROOM WITH A VIEW:
2007 PORSCHE® 911® TARGA® 4 / TARGA 4S
MAKE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT

LOS ANGELES -- The Targa is back, and this unique version of the legendary Porsche 911 makes its North
American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with the Porsche press conference on November 30, 2006,
followed by public show days from December 1-10.

The 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S feature a unique roof system that provides their occupants with
a panoramic view even when the top is closed. The Targa's roof is made from two glass panels and extends
across the full width and length of the passenger compartment, from the windshield header to the leading edge
of the engine cover and from side frame to side frame. In other words, the entire roof is glass, and in
combination with the windshield and side windows provides a panoramic vantage and protection from the
elements.

Both glass panels are made from a specially formulated glass that absorbs nearly all ultraviolet radiation yet
remains transparent. The glass also is formulated not to transmit the sun's heat into the vehicle. The top
includes an integrated power shade that can be positioned to provide a screen against bright sunlight or
insulation against cold temperatures. In addition, the front portion of that glass roof slides open at the touch of
a switch to provide a large opening above the driver and front-seat passenger.

Targas are the only 911s with hatch-style access
Meanwhile, the rear section of the Targa top comprises a separately opening hatchback-style access to the
car's four-seat interior and especially to the 8.1 cubic feet (230 liters) of storage area behind the rear
seatbacks. Of the various versions of the Porsche 911, the Targa is the only one with a separately opening
tailgate.

The Targa roof is further differentiated by a polished aluminum exterior trim strip that extends along the edge
of the roofline, up from the base of the A pillar and arching along the edge of the roof side support and back to
the base of the C pillar. This bright trim gives the Targa 4 and Targa 4S a unique side view among all versions
of the Porsche 911.

First Targas to offer choice of engines
Porsche first produced a Targa-style roof for the North American market for the 1967 model year. The unique
roof style was created in response to early government safety regulations that threatened the future of the
traditional canvas-roofed convertible body style.

The introduction of the all-new 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S marks the first time the Porsche
Targa has been available with the customer's choice between two power sources – the 325-horsepower 3.6-
liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine in the 911 Targa 4 and a 355-horsepower 3.8-liter "boxer" six in
the 911 Targa 4S.

The 20007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 accelerates to 62 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds and reaches 100 mph in
less than 12 seconds on its way to a top speed of 174 miles per hour. The 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4S,
which comes with Porsche Active Suspension Management technology (optional on the Targa 4), reaches 62
mph in just 4.9 seconds, hits 100 in 11.2 seconds and has a top speed of 179 mph.

First Targas built on wide-body, all-wheel-drive platform
The introduction of the all-new 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S also marks the first time that this
panoramic roof has been featured on the wide-bodied and all-wheel-drive version of the Porsche 911.
Regardless of engine selected, all 2007 Targa models feature all-wheel drive for enhanced driving dynamics.
The cars' larger and flared wheel arches provide room for a widened track and larger wheels and tires that are
part of Porsche's all-wheel-drive powertrain that enhances dynamic capabilities in all conditions, but especially
in inclement weather.

The Targas also are equipped with enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM) technology featuring
advanced braking systems engineered to provide the shortest possible stopping distances, a dynamic category
in which all Porsche vehicles are among the best in the world.

Torque split to the front wheels automatically adjusts between 5 and 40 percent to maintain superior traction.
By sending no more than 40 percent of power to the front wheels, the four-wheel-drive 911s exhibit dynamic
characteristics similar to the rear-drive versions, thus they will not understeer or "push" toward the outside over
the front wheels in turning maneuvers.

Six airbags and a long list of standard features and options
Further, all 2007 Targas are equipped with six airbags – front, side (thorax) and two-row head-protecting side
curtains – as standard equipment.

In terms of equipment and ergonomics, both versions of the Targa are nearly identical to the 2007 Porsche
911 Carrera® 4 and Carrera 4S. Standard equipment includes automatic air conditioning, Porsche
Communication Management (PCM) with an integrated radio and nine speakers. Also available are a wide range
of options for customization, including BOSE Surround Sound, Porsche ParkAssist, Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brakes and Porsche's Sports Chrono Package Plus, which adjusts suspension and engine
parameters for enhanced dynamic driving. Owners also have a wide range of leather upholstery and trim
options as well as six-speed manual or five-speed Tiptronic S transmissions.

Reduced cost of ownership
New technologies and advances in lubricants extend service intervals and should contribute to a lower cost of
ownership during the lifespan of the 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S. Oil changes are required only
every 20,000 miles, air filters last until 40,000 miles and spark plugs should be changed at 60,000 miles.

We get it. Ads can be annoying. But ads are also how we keep the garage doors open and the lights on here at Autoblog - and keep our stories free for you and for everyone. And free is good, right? If you'd be so kind as to whitelist our site, we promise to keep bringing you great content. Thanks for that. And thanks for reading Autoblog.

Here's how to disable adblocking on our site.

Click on the icon for your Adblocker in your browser. A drop down menu will appear.

Select the option to run ads for autoblog.com, by clicking either "turn off for this site", "don't run on pages on this domain", "whitelist this site" or similar. The exact text will differ depending on the actual application you have running.